Obscure with Michael Ian Black

Latest Episodes:

S4 Episode 158 - Epilogue Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

It appears that Clyde has finally met his end as we begin today's episode of "Obscure." When we began "An American Tragedy," it was, I admit, with some trepidation. I purchased it at a bookshop in London, where we were living for a few months a couple years and change ago. The trepidation was about the size of the damned thing. A veritable tome! I knew then that it would be a yearslong project, and so it has been. Thanks to all of you for staying with me all the way to the book's (and Clyde's) end.

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S4 Episode 157 - Peanuts and Candy Corn Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

Kind of a sweet and salty episode as your host recounts a trip to Lake Geneva, WI and the county fair. That's the sweet. The salty is that Clyde Griffiths is about to die. Which is, of course, a touch sad. But you know what cheers up sad people? Candy Corn. The circle of life continues.

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S4 Episode 156 - Just Fry Him Already Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Title suggestion by dear producer Robin who seems ready to be done with Clyde and the whole mess. It's hard to argue with such a conclusion following 700 pages of Dreiser, but we're not going to walk Clyde down that long corridor just yet. There's still a governor's commutation available. Perhaps that will save his skin. But, to be honest, probably not.

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S4 Episode 155 - Getting to the Point Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

As your host departs for a brief beach getaway, he revels in his own freedom contrasted with that of a young convicted murderer on death row. The Blue Devil has sunk his teeth into poor Clyde Griffiths and as he awaits his turn on Old Sparky, his new friend the Reverend Duncan McMillan is hard at work trying to save his soul.

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S4 Episode 154 - Manahatta Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

Your host recounts his INTENSE work schedule to kick off today's episode. It's a sleepy August afternoon for ol' Michael as he unspools his thoughts on the impending demise of one Clyde Griffiths whose very soul hangs in the balance. His new friend, the good Reverend Duncan McMillan, is beseeching him to confess his sins. Can young Clyde bring himself to admit a full accounting of his many wrongdoings before he meets his maker?

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S4 Episode 153 - So Much of this World is Shabby Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

Times is tough but your host is facing this challenging world in a chipper mood. Why? Listeners will have to tune in to find out, but if the word "buttermilk" doesn't pique your interest, who knows what will? Thank goodness for your host's good mood since our poor friend Clyde Griffiths is at his lowest point. Perhaps all of us can cheer him up as he awaits his death.

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S4 Episode 152 - Lie Berry Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Reverend Duncan McMillan and Clyde Griffiths are now spending some time together as they await the final judgment of our hero. There's been some preaching and having themselves some literary discussion and psalming all the psalms. Your host also has been interrogating the whole Jesus question with a recent book borrowin'.

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S4 Episode 151 - Let's Go With That, Why Not? Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

Your host begins with a congratulatory message towards himself for being a real trooper. Trouper? Some thoughts on trooping follow. As for Clyde, a man has died over at Auburn and our sad hero is feeling pretty low about it. How soon until our own dear Clyde meets his own end?

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S4 Episode 150 - Among My Things and People Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Your host has returned from the wilds of Oregon to the wilds of Connecticut. We begin with complaints about the local church rummage sale and continues on to various observations about this and that before revisiting the death house where Clyde awaits his fate.

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S4 Episode 149 - The Christians, At Least, Were Very Indifferent Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Well, the fundraising for Clyde's appeal does not seem to be going very well. Mama Griffiths has vowed to raise the necessary cash to free her boy from the jaws of death. Alas, the good people of Albany and Buffalo and parts nearby, have no patience for the young Clyde. And, frankly, nor does your host. NOR DOES YOUR HOST!!!

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